The World’s Greatest Flower Show Must Go…Online says The Royal Horticultural Society as it announces plans for a Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show to take place from 18 – 23 May, 2020.
Throughout the week the RHS website will become host to an online platform sharing an abundance of free, inspiring content from the great and the good of the gardening world, with Monday 18th May being Members day and showcasing exclusive content for RHS members only.
Each morning the show will kick off with a tour from one of the world’s leading garden designers, florists or gardening personalities of their own private gardens as they share their top design tips, favourite planting combinations and gardening trends with virtual visitors.
RHS / Luke MacGregor
Keeping gardening on the home schooling curriculum, a daily School Gardening Club will provide a wealth of activities for families to get together, play, dig, grow plants and connect with nature.
Only the very best nurseries and growers from across the country are chosen to exhibit at RHS Chelsea. Virtual visitors will get an insight into how some of the world’s best quality plants are grown, as a selection of UK growers take visitors on exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of their award-winning nurseries.
Some will be replicating the spectacular plant displays that were due to fill the Great Pavilion, the jewel in RHS Chelsea’s crown at home for the world to enjoy.
These leading growers will also host daily potting bench demonstrations, sharing their specialist plant expertise, growing techniques, tips and advice on how to keep plants happy and healthy.
For those looking to expand their gardening knowledge, throughout the week, every lunchtime, RHS Advisors will be joined by a special guest for an interactive Q&A session. Chelsea enthusiasts will also have a chance to cast their vote on the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Decade, the RHS Chelsea Product of the Year and the BBC/ RHS People’s Choice Garden of the Decade.
Sue Biggs, RHS Director General says: “We’re lucky to live in a digital age where we’re able to bring aspects of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show online so we can continue to share the world’s best in horticulture and bring garden design inspiration, breath-taking displays and horticultural knowledge for the nation to enjoy during this difficult time.
“I’m also delighted that despite such challenging circumstances the BBC are producing a special series of programmes celebrating the World’s Greatest Flower Show which will air throughout ‘Virtual’ Show week on BBC One and Two.
“We really hope the virtual show will help fill the gap caused by the sad but necessary cancellation of this year’s show and will inspire more people to get growing.”
RHS Chelsea Flower Show hasn’t been cancelled since World War II. The ‘Virtual’ RHS Chelsea will run from 18-23 May. Visit rhs.org.uk/Chelsea and follow #RHSChelsea or social media for more information.
Main Picture credit: RHS / Georgi Mabee